English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

EAP courses provide language support for students who will benefit from specialist English language instruction to use English more fluently and accurately for communication and study purposes.

One or two courses are provided with flexible content according to the students’ needs:

• English for Academic Purposes (EAP) in place of English in Grades 7 and 8.

• Additional English for Academic Purposes (AEAP), in place of a language other than English (LOTE) in Grades 6 and 8.

In EAP, selected students study language and literature in small classes. 

The study of literature includes guided reading to develop multiple reading skills. Texts are selected according to students’ vocabulary and language level as well as their age and level of interest. Students complete an academic writing task, such as an essay.

Language lessons focus on non-fiction texts, providing students with a range of academic reading skills such as scanning, close reading for detailed comprehension, understanding inferences, identifying main ideas and supporting points, and recognising common text types. Oral language is also developed, moving from basic communication towards academic language proficiency, and students may be required to prepare and deliver an oral presentation.

In addition, regular extensive reading in EAL classes encourages students to develop a personal reading habit. Research indicates that, over time, this significantly improves students’ reading skills, expands their vocabulary, and improves their writing. We strongly encourage students to read at home daily to support this.

Additional EAP is offered (as well as EAP) to selected students as an alternative to a language other than English (LOTE) in order to improve their English proficiency and language skills to meet the demands of studying all subjects in English.

Language lessons focus on the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing, including vocabulary and grammar. With regard to grammar, our goal is its practical application in speaking and writing.

Please note that in either class, support is occasionally given for the specific language demands of other subjects. In these lessons, students engage with their content area topics with the guidance and support of their EAP teacher according to their needs.